Huon Valley Council is the most southerly Council in Australia. Covering an area of 5,620 square kilometres in southern Tasmania, the area includes the catchments of the Huon River and its tributaries.
Formed in 1993 through the amalgamations of Esperance, Port Cygnet and Huon Councils, Huon Valley Council has made a concerted effort to support Landcare activities. This has primarily occurred under the umbrella of the Huon Healthy Rivers Project and a philosophy of integrated catchment management.
A partnership involving the Commonwealth and State Governments, Huon Valley Council, local industry and the Huon Valley community, the Healthy Rivers Project is delivering integrated management of the catchment.
To date the main focus of the Project has been the following.
- Preparation of a catchment management plan.
- Development of an integrated water monitoring program.
- Implementation of local level environmental rehabilitation projects.
A central feature of the Project is its emphasis on community awareness, participation and action in each aspect of its development. Work to date has involved willow removal, sand dune protection, riverbank repair, wetland rehabilitation and replantings.
Huon Valley Council believes the value of clean water is increasing in a world where population pressures and unsustainable landuse practices have degraded not only the local supply, but the source and underground storage of water.
It is also very aware that the supply of good quality water is vital to industry development and employment opportunities in the Huon Valley. It is the philosophy of Council to continue to work towards the comprehensive implementation of landcare principles in all Council works and programs.
For further information contact Elizabeth Daly, telephone (03) 6264 2757.
